Combined bat and ball



W. H. MERCER COMBINED BAT AND BALL Filed Aug. 28, 1923 May 19, 1925.

- for batting the ball against Patented May 19, 1925.

UNITED STATES] WILLIAM H. MERCER, 0F PORTLAND, OREGON.

COMBINED BAT AND BALL.

Application filed August 28, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, l/VILLIAM H. MERCER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Portland, county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented a certain new and usefullmprovement in Combined Bats and Balls, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a toy consisting of a bat to which is attached, by means of an elastic cord a resilient ball, so that the latter may be thrown like a shot against a wall surface by swinging the bat, 0r batted against the ground.

The further object of my invention is to provide means for shortening the elastic cord relatively to the size of the child playing with the toy, and also according to its use. This cord-shortening feature of my toy is required when the toy is to be used the ground, so that the length of the cord will be made relative to the height of the hand of the child using the cord.

I attain my object in a bat preferably consisting of an enlarged flat head and having a shank of substantial length and uniform cross section. On this shank is slidably mounted a ring to which is fastened one end of an elastic cord, the other end of which is fastened to an elastic ball; the head of the bat being provided with an eye through which the cord is passed. Said ring is preferably so made that it will bind with the shank of the bat when the pull of the cord is applied to the ring.

The foregoing details of construction and other incidental features of my invention are hereinafter fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows my device in its preferred form of construction, the same being represented as held by one hand of the child, and the ball and the play or rebound of the ball caused by the batting being indicated in broken outline;

Fig. 2 is a detail of construction of the preferred type of constructionof the rin slidably mounted on the shank of the bat; and

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional details of the resilient ball showing the same as made with an integral loop or nob like perforated projection to which to fasten the elastic cord, the planes of the sections in Figs. 3 and 4 being taken at right angles to each other.

Serial No. 659,758.

The hat a is preferably made with an enlarged flat head 6, and a shank of substantial length of uniform rectangular cross section. At the tip of the head 6 is provided an eye 0, and slidably mounted on the shank is a ring which is preferably made of rectangular form and substantial width. To the rear edge of this ring is attached one end of an elastic cord 6, which is passed through the eye 0, and on the other end of the cord e is fastened a resilient ball f. The latter is preferably made with a nob like perforated projection constituting an integral ear or loop g, to which the cord may i be conveniently fastened as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

When the slidable ring is made as shown and the end of the cord 6 is fastened thereto as described, the tendency of the ring is to tilt as illustrated in Fig. 2 when subject to the pull of the cord 6, and thus cause the forward edge (23' to bind with the shank of the bat a and in that way hold the movable end of the cord 6 in a position to which adjusted.

Furthermore, the holding of the ring d in its tilted position may be facilitated by bearing on the same with the thumb of the hand as indicated in Fig. 1.

The adjustment of the ring 03, and therewith the length of the cord e, is necessary so as to make one toy adaptable to be used by children of various ages and heights.

The toy may also be used for striking a mark on a vertical surface, which play is accomplished, as obvious, by swinging the bat and in that way directing the ball to wards the mark.

The details of construction of my device may be varied as deemed convenient by the manufacturer, so long as he keeps within the principle of construction and operation above described.

I claim:

1. A toy consisting of a hat, a ring slidably mounted on the handle end of said bat, an elastic cord having one end fastened to said ring and its other end passing through an eye provided on the head of said bat, and a resilient ball to which the free end of said cord is attached.

2. A toy consisting of a bat, a ring of substantial width slidably mounted on the handle of said bat, an elastic cord havin one end fastened to the rear edge of said ring, and its other end passing through an more clearly eye provided on the head of said bat, and a resilient ball to which the free end of said cord is attached.

3. A toy consisting of a hat comprising a shank of substantial length and terminating in an enlarged flat head, a ring of substantial width slidably mounted but nonrotatable on said shank,an elastic cord having one end fastened to the rear edge of said ring and its. other end passing through i0 tohind with said shank, and a resilient ball to which the free end of said cord is at- 15 tachedl WILLIAM H. MERCER. 

